The "Joneses" are getting squeezed

Saks Chief Executive Officer Stephen Sadove said Nov. 20 that its ``aspirational'' customers were hurt by the U.S. economic slowdown.

``Aspirational'' shoppers have an average annual household income of $75,000, according to Citigroup analyst Charmaine Tang. They include consumers who stretch their incomes to buy, for example, a $500 handbag and cut such spending when their budgets tighten.

I definitely am buying fewer handbags because I cannot afford as many girlfriends.

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this is why it's better to date college-age girls. they are lower maintenance (financially). you can make them happy with a $150 handbag. chicks in their upper 20s and beyond usually have more expensive taste because they've been working a while. they'll want a $800 handbag and $400 shoes for x-mas.